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Daniel Andrews condemns 'ugly behaviour' by extremist protesters who made violent threats outside Parliament

Chanel Zagon

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Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has described the violent scenes at Melbourne protests opposing the proposed pandemic bill as "ugly behaviour" by extremists.

Hundreds of protesters rallied for a third consecutive night on the steps of State Parliament, demanding Victoria's proposed new pandemic legislation be torn up.

Peaceful demonstrations against the controversial bill were hijacked yesterday by other protesters making disturbing threats against Mr Andrews.

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They made threats to storm Parliament and set up makeshift gallows, with a blow-up replica of the premier placed onto it, in a vile death threat to Mr Andrews.

"I look forward to the day I get to see you dance on the end of a rope," one protester said.

The premier today condemned the disturbing scenes by extremists.

An inflatable Daniel Andrews was thrown on makeshift gallows during Melbourne's pandemic laws protest.  Nine

"Debate is fine, disagreement is fine - that is a part of our system," he said.

"What we have seen in recent days and weeks is not fine, it is awful.

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"But it doesn't speak to the values and the conduct of the vast majority of Victorians."

The premier said the threats did not "sadden" him, but he was offended the "ugly behaviour" was taking away the focus on Victoria's strong vaccination progress.

"It is so unfair for a small ugly mob to be taking attention away from the more than 90 per cent of Victorians who have had a first dose and will soon have a second dose.

"That is where our focus should be."

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Other leaders have also slammed the behaviour, with Deputy Premier James Merlino claiming people in the Liberal Party had condoned the extremist behaviour.

"You can't be the premier of the state if you don't outright condemn the threats of violence and threats to kill," he said.

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Northern Territory Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said the fake gallows and effigy of the premier, along with threats to storm Parliament, were unacceptable.

"By all means, protest peacefully. Get your message across the best way you can," she on Today.

She also criticised politicians who had taken part.

"Remember that you are leaders in Victoria, in the Parliament, but don't be the kind of leaders that are just reacting to the crowd and wanting the attention of those simply because you're not getting it in the actual State Parliament," she told Today.

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"The vile comments coming through to so many politicians, even at a federal level, Ally, this is where you push the extremists to the point where we will see what happened in the UK to politicians, here in this country."

Hundreds of protesters have taken up camp on the steps of Parliament House to protest the proposed bill giving the government added powers in times of pandemic. Photograph by Chris Hopkins

Protesters waved flags and chanted 'Kill the Bill'.  Photograph by Chris Hopkins

Senator McCarthy was making reference to UK politician Sir David Amess, who was stabbed to death at his constituency surgery in Essex in October.

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Mr Andrews is pressing forward with the legislation and is confident the bill will pass after securing the support of key crossbenchers.

A final vote is expected on Friday.

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Meanwhile, the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is calling for all COVID-19 restrictions to be axed when the state reaches the 90 per cent double dose vaccination mark.

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Chief Executive Paul Guerra said all isolation borders should be scrapped and international borders re-opened to all, in order to help struggling businesses bounce back.

A number of restrictions will be eased at that 90 per cent landmark, which is expected on Monday.

Mr Andrews flagged more freedoms could be announced later in the week.

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